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Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) is a conventional academic institution whose vision seeks to keep aflame the pursuit of Knowledge, Excellence and the spirit of enquiry. AKSU also offers opportunities for Learning and Leadership, Service and Self-actualization to all mankind, towards a Peaceful, Humane, Prosperous and just Society.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

University of Lagos Student Union executive protest rustication

Members of the suspended
University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) executive Wednesday 31/08/2016, protested what
they described as an “unjust rustication” of the union members. They gathered at the school’s
Senate building to demand thorough investigation of the suspensions of the
students’ leaders, ranging from two to four semesters, for their role in a
protest that led to the closure of the university in April.

The students used the
opportunity of the inaugural meeting of the university’s newly constituted
Senate Wednesday to draw attention to their grievances. They bore placards with the
inscriptions: “We want better welfarism not victimization;” “Punishment without
evidence”; “The student needs a body ULSU is our body”; and “Our leaders don’t
deserve the treatment they are getting”.

The ULSU President, Mohammed
Olaniyan, said the students have appealed their suspension.

“We have written an appeal
letter to the Pro-Chancellor to look into the injustice the Senate has
done. Not only have we been unjustly
rusticated, but they are also victimizing the leaders and all we did was
protest against the unfair treatment of students.”

Olaniyan also questioned why
only seven of the 16-member executive committee were punished when all
participated in the protest. “Where are the remaining nine
members?Where are their letters – which
just shows how biased our Senate is,” he said. The USLU speaker, Adeonipekun
Adeyanju, said students exercised their right to protest.“Every individual has the
right to protest. They said we locked
the school gate. What about Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that
locked school gate and no one was sacked or sanction? This is victimization,” he said.

Responding to the allegations
of unjust suspension, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Protocol, Mr Toyin
Adebule, in a statement, said each student that faced the panel set up by the
senate to investigate the protest, were only punished for infractions they
committed. “The students were duly
investigated for specific acts of social misconduct which they carried out.
They were individually investigated for instances of wrongdoing in breach of
the Social Misconduct and Penalties Regulations of the University of Lagos,” he
said.